All US states have child-safety-seat laws that require the use of car seats for kids under a certain age. For infants younger than a year old, that means a rear-facing car seat. Dedicated infant seats—including all the seats we review in this guide—are designed to be used rear-facing only.
Clek describes this padding as “two-stage” because it comes in two pieces, a headrest and a support cushion. You can use the headrest until the baby outgrows the seat, and you can use the bottom support cushion until their shoulders reach the top harness slot. The KeyFit 30 is the narrowest and shortest of the seats we recommend, at 16½ inches wide and 27½ inches front to back; like our other picks, it’s a good candidate for a three-across seat configuration. At 9½ pounds, it’s the second-lightest infant seat among our picks, after the Clek Liing.
It goes up and down without resistance, but the pinch mechanism is slightly stiffer than competitors, but nothing you’d notice if you hadn’t used all of the competition. Installing this Graco with the vehicle belt is more challenging than the other Gracos we tested, but it is better than average for the group. While installing with the belt isn’t a standout in this metric, and we recommend LATCH if the manufacturer guidelines graco car seat allow it in your situation, we think it is straightforward and won’t lead to crying. The recline adjustment handle is easier to use on this option than on other Gracos, and the range is adequately wide. The seat padding has a Velcro-style attachment that makes moving it out of the way a breeze, which you’ll need to do to access the pathway. The LATCH connectors are readily available and easy to attach or remove.
“The best car seat is the one that fits your kid, fits your car, and is used properly on every trip,” Maltese said. Once the seat is in the most upright recline position, graco turbobooster it takes up very little space front to back. This makes it one of the best convertible car seats for small cars or for front-seat passengers who are very tall.
We know it can make your head spin, and you already have enough to worry about. That’s why buybuy BABY is here to help you de-stress your already hectic life with a selection of car seats for every age from infant to toddler and beyond. You’ll be ready to roll with infant car seats, toddler car seats, convertible car seats, booster seats, and even compact car seats with wheels so you don’t need a separate stroller. Identifying your ideal budget is a great first step to understanding what’s available – this may be surprising but more expensive doesn’t make it safer for baby.